Radiator structure



Dec.. 4, mg. www@ G. E. OTHS RADIATOR STRUCTURE Filed July 2, 1923 lll/ll Patented Dec. `4,- 1928.

maar este@ GERALD E. OTIS, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE HERMAN NELSON CORPORA- v TION, OF MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RADIATOR STEUC'IURE.

Application led. .Tnly 2,

is to combine certain novel features of construction, calculated to decrease the weight and size of a radiator, by employing a more l eiective method of heat transmission and characterized by a single hollow core of substantially uniform shape through which the heating fluid is circulated, together with a plurality of metallic platesor anges applied to the surface ofthe central core and forming secondary heating elements. A The principle underlying the practice to be followed in utilizing the invention is, that the transmission of heat efficientlyV from a pri- ,mary heating'element or hollow core, to the secondary elements in the form of plates or Hanges, is dependent largely on the intimacy of the contact between the elements.. It is conceived that ordinary bearing contact between two metallic surfaces is not productive of efficient heat transmission, by reason of the unavoidable presence of minuteair spaces or gaps which interrupt the flow of heat from one to the other in much the same manner as 9 an air gap will effectively restrict oninterrupt the ow of electricity from one conductor to another.

It follows, therefore, that the means utilized for applying the secondary elements is a5 of importance, and suggests also the utilization of the same means for controlling the effective heating capacity of any radiator by regulating the contact between the secondary heating elements and the central core. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator designed to alord greater eiiciency than the more common form castiron radiator of the sectional type generally used for heating purposes. Such radiators` are massive and of great weight and, there' fore, open to objections for these reasons as well as for the fact that the sectional construction aEords possibility of leakage and ineiicient. circulation of the heating fluid. As the heating element of heating and ventilating apparatus, the common sectional radiator is particularly unsuited for the purpose since the entire apparatus mustnecessarily be designed to accommodate the massive radiator, and hence the size and space occupied is often 1923. Serial No. 648,916.

ufacture and installation, the use of the castA metal sectional radiator is objectionable in that it must ordinarily b'e shipped separately from the remaining parts of the apparatus and assembled at the place of installation. By the use of a relatively light and compact radiator, the unit can be designed to occupy a much smaller space, and otherwise constructed as a self-contained device for shipment t0 the place of installation.

Other objects and advantages of the structure embodying the invention will bealluded to in the following description in connection 4with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is -a view 1n side elevation of a single radiator unit. with portions broken away to show more clearly the construction.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal' section through one en'd portion of the radiator unit as taken on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is view similar to Figure 2, showing a radiator with an additional layer of secondary elements, and

- Figure 4 is a detail view in vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

The radiator in its simplest form consists of an elongated central core 1, shown as mounted in vertical position and having secondary heating elements 2, 2 in the form of Vcorrugated plates bent in zig-zag form or connected series of tl-shaped ns secured to the sides of said core, and outer plates 3,3

v secured against the corrugated plates 2, 2.

The central core is a hollow unitary container cast of a suitable corrosion resisting metal, designed to withstand theshocks and strains of expansion and contraction, and the abuses incident to handling and installation, but otherwise of as light a construction as practicable. In horizontal section the central core is shaped like an elongated I-beam having end ortions 1", 1.a widened to Substantially twlce the width of the central or intermediate portion 1". At the ends of the central core are cast bosses 4s, 4 Ainto which are fitted the supply and return pipes 5 and 6 y respectively, for the heating Huid, the for mevbeing located near the top and the latter nearthe bottom of the core.

As clearly shown in Figure 2 the secopda heating elements 2, 2 are, as already sug este in the form of corrugated plates whic may be regarded as a multitude of alternately inverted and connected ll-shaped elements having a flattened face 2a at each apex bearing against the side of the central core and the plates 3, 3. rllhe stock from which the plates 2, 2, are'made is preferably a light gauge metal of relatively high heat conductivity, such as aluminum or copper.

. In width or vertical dimension these cor- `rugated plates 2, 2 are equal to that of the core. Longitudinally the plates 2, 2 extendIA the full length of the core between the end distances apart throughout the' length of the structure. '-At the points where the bolts are.

located, aligned recesses or depressions 8 are formed in the outer plates, the bolts extending through central apertures therein, and cored holes 9, extending transversely through the central core l. To accommodate the depressions as Well as the bolts, portions of the corvrugated plates 2 are cut away, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

|The outer plates and bolts provide clamping members serving to force the corrugated .plates in close and intimate contact with the core, as well as with the outer plates thmselves, through the mediumof the Hattened faces 2, thus establishing the necessary degree of contact to eliminate any spaces or gaps between'the contacting surfaces due to,

any roughness or unevenness that may exist. lf desired, cement solder, or paste made of copper filings may be used as filling substance between the contacting surfaces, thereby increasing the conductivity, although the application of pressure. is ordinarily sufficient to insure eective heat transmission. Due to the pressure applied by the bolts 7, it isat once manifest that the outer plates shall be suiciently heavy te resist distortion or warping, and to thus effect a uniform distribution of the pressure throughout the entire area of the corrugated plates.

ln this type of radiator structure, the top and bottom surfaces .are open so that a multitude of vertical air passages are formed be- 1 tween the corrugated plates, the central core and outer plates 3, 3i rlhus the air to be heated may circulate or be forced, as the case may be, through the radiator and into contact with the entire heating area.

@bviously the heat of the steam orother l Aheating liuid supplied to the radiator is absorbed by the walls of the core l, and thence Leeaeia transmitted rapidly and without retardation orloss to the corrugated plates and finally to the outer plates, this heat being ultimately dissipated to increase the temperature of the air passing through the radiator.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a further development of the construction already discussed, wherein tWo layers or thicknesses ofcorrugated plates are employed instead of one.

lSo far as the central core 1 and the adjan cent corrugated plates are concerned, the structure is built up in the same manner as before. The departure therefore resides in applying additional corrugated plates l0, 10, over the inne-r corrugated plates 2, 2, with an intermediate plate or sheet 11, separating the two. The positioning of the two adjacent pairs of corrugated plates is preferably such that the adjacent atte-ned faces 2a and l0@L bear against the intermediate she-et 11, at

points on opposite sides thereof, thus establishing a direct path for the heat from the core in an' outward direction. The outer plates 3, 3'are` the same'as before except that they are spaced further from the central core, and bear against the outer corrugated plates instead of the inner plates 2, 2. For this reason also, longer bolts 12, l2 are used but otherwise the 'structure and assembly is duplicated.

.The structure of Figures 3 and t is capable of heating a greater volume of air, but not perhaps capable of raising the temperature to the same degree. This suggests that such lim a structure would be advantageous under cony ditions where a greater volume of air is handled, but the heating of the air to a high temperature is not necessary. These are conditions that ordinarily exist in mild climates or during mild weather.

A feature of this structure for radiators, as typified by either of the two forms shown, is the possibility of controlling the heating capacity by varying the pressure exerted upon the contact faces of the secondary heating elements, bearing in mind that the edective transmission of heat is largely dependent upon the intimacy of contact between the faces, it is at once manifest that by decreasing the pressure by loosening the bolts i (or l2) the contact will be proportionately reduced and the heat transmission in like proportion. rlhus the same radiator may be adjusted to meet varying heating requirements without cutting down the Vvolume of Vthe air delivered through the radiator or the apparatus of which it forms a part. Apart lfrom the control of the heating capacity of the structure, and the e'ciency that maybe obtained, it oders other advantages, some vof which have been mentioned. The'single core does away entirely with the sectional construction that is common in heating radiators and the numerous joints and seams with z the attendant opportunity for leakage. Furthermore in the -use of a core having a single fluid compartment, the difiiculties of circulating the heating fluid and the venting of the trapped air are not present.

Having therefore presented a preferred embodiment of the invention and vwith the understanding that it is not limitedto the precise disclosure herein, I claim as my invention: V

1. In a radiator structure, the combination with a hollow metal Core having substantially rigid walls. presenting Hat outer surfaces; of a plurality of sheet metal heattransmitting elements extending transversely from theheating surfacesof said core and having elongated contact faces engaging said flat outer` surfaces; and means for holding all of said elements on the core under presfaces.

2. In a radiator structure, the combination with a single hollow cast metal core having relative large'flat heating surfaces on opposite sides thereof; of heat-radiating plates of sheet metal mounted on said core, said plates having core-contacting elements and heat radiating elements forming a cellular structure adjacent the heating surfaces of said core; and a tie member for holding the plates on the core and maintaining the plates compressed to force said core-contacting elements thereof into intimate contact with the iat surfaces of the core.

-In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd dayf of J une, A. D. 1923. GERALD E. GTIS. 

